The Lift at Jedd's Grip Contest

I think it's cool how people think up great names for their grip contests. I think it's funny how nobody thought up a clever name for the contest we just had at Jedd's. It's only been known as the "Lift at Jedd's" on the Gripboard. I like it that way. It's like an "Eat at Joe's" t-shirt.

A big thanks to Mike for carting my sorry ass up to PA and back at 4:30AM! A big thanks to Jedd for hosting this comp at his place and for his family’s hospitality.

Here’s my take (with a healthy dose of Monday Morning Quarterbacking):

Grippers – Stupid mistake #1: I should have done much better here. I made a stupid mistake by blowing a little strength off on a lighter BBE (to play it safe) and it took too much off me on the back end. I ended up missing the 174.2lb Hard BBE by pinching my skin between the handles TWICE. I’ll tell you this, that gripper went right down, but it wasn’t meant to be. If I was able to get that dang gripper closed I would have tied Jedd for first in grippers.

Pinch – Rookie mistake #1: I’ve only ever touched a Euro Pinch once before this contest. I pulled like 160lbs on it real easy with no advice. That’s it. Jedd pulls out the pinch and puts around 140-150lbs on it for folks to warm-up and get a feel. It felt amazing. Everyone started right at 173lbs. No problems all around. The next jump was to 184lbs and change and I pulled it very easily. 193lbs and change on the bar and I take a warm-up lift – easy (it felt just as solid as 184lbs). So I pass on the lift (Stupid). I felt so confident that I passed on 198lbs and change too (also stupid)! We get the pinch loaded up with 203lbs and change and I couldn’t budge it. Rookie move! I should have pulled 193lbs and change for an easy attempt and made a run at 198lbs and change.

2” V-Bar – I never train this event and to be quite honest, I’m happy I got what I did! HAHA! I was utterly amazed at the weight Brent and Jedd were able to get off the ground! I toyed around with my grip and tried to take in advice from everyone; it obviously didn’t help much. I tied for last. Ehh…

300lb Axle for Reps – WOW! It was brutal. WOW! I suck at thick bar. I don’t have access to a thick bar to train and it really, really showed here. I wanted to pull that weight, but my hands simply couldn’t hold on to that bar. I got 5th with a measly 2 reps. I need to work on my thick bar somehow. Jeez.

Medley – Rookie mistake #2: I should have pulled the 3-25’s FIRST! Jedd laid out a sweet medley for the contest finisher with 17 items. I took a look around and knew there were a few items I wasn’t going to be able to lift – Inch, 180lb RT, maybe the Euro Pinch, and maybe that 153lb thick handle loadable. I was pretty confident on everything else. HAHA! Wrong again. I tried to utilize my LH as much as possible in this medley, pulling more with it than I ever thought possible. I was very pleased in that respect. I pulled the 50lb Blob with my LH about 6” but, couldn’t get it to the platform so I had to re-grip and get it with my RH. I got to the 3-25’s (which I’ve done before) up a few inches several times, but I couldn’t get it on the platform. I was beyond frustrated. I ended up tying for second with Eaton on this event with 12 total items lifted.

I finished 4th. Not real bad. I wish I would have done better, regardless of where that would have put me in the final standings.

My impressions of the competition:
Jedd Johnson – Jedd is looking bigger and leaner than the last time we met. He’s been putting the time in the gym and it’s really showing. He’s strong all around and it’s reflected in his contest performance. He was solid in every aspect of the contest; not only as a competitor, but as an organizer and judge as well.

John Eaton – What can you say about Eaton? He’s nasty all around and he was up for like 2 days straight! HAHA! The guy drives in from work, kicks some tail and rolls out. John was on point with the jokes and grip advice per usual. He brought his daughter Kelly down who totally rocks the speed bag like it’s nobody’s business. She also clicked off a billion reps on Mike’s HG200. Hilarious.

Brent Barbe – “Who the hell is Brent Barbe?” is what I was thinking before this contest. The guy rolls up in a Toyota Echo smoking a pipe and wearing tourist Teva sandals and I immediately knew I was going to love him! HAHA! Brent is really strong and gave some great tips to everyone who needed them (mostly me). Brent had some killer lifts and notices every aspect of everyone’s technique. He also helped Jedd judge several events. Real good dude. I hope to see more of Brent in the future.

Frank Snyder – This kid has some serious potential. He’s big and strong with giant hands to match. Really solid guy and well rounded in the grip game and so young!

Mike Rinderle – Mike is a strong dude. You know…the kind of strong dude who doesn’t realize his strength potential. Mike did very well considering the field and VERY well considering he’s only be playing around with grip for like 6 months. Every lift he made was a qualifier lift for the GGC. Not to mention, he had about 11 hours of wheel time on this trip. Great guy all around and really did well in his first contest.

Post Contest Lifts:
-Jedd hit that slick half 120lb hex and high pulled the Inch;
-Frank got a double Blob lift and a load of 5 dimes craziness (index and middle finger nonsense);
-Eaton cleaned and curled 5 dimes and pulled the Inch to about knee height;
-Mike got a solid 5 dimes lift;
-Barbe nailed a double blob lift and a shallow double hub lift;
-I hit the double blob and shallow hubs as well.

I'm still a little sore - back to training tomorrow. When I get my hands on some video and/or pics I'll post 'em up here.

Goody